Guilford County Sheriff: BJ Barnes
Party: Republican
Overview: Incumbent BJ Barnes beat Democratic challenger Phil Wadsworth. Barnes illuminates his achievements in decreasing crime, decreasing police response time, and building a new jail well-under the original price speculation.
On the record: “As sheriff, I’ve been at the hospital with officers and their families as they fought for their lives. I’ve watched them as they work through the demons that torture them as they try to cope with the stresses associated with their job, both physically and mentally. I’ve witnessed the toll they pay in their personal lives for the sake of their jobs, and I’ve watched the anguish they feel when they think the public does not understand or appreciate their efforts.” (From News & Record)
Website: http://www.barnes2010.com/
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Board of Education At-Large: Nancy Routh
Overview: Incumbent Nancy Oruth beat challenger Lisa Ingle Clapp. Routh voted to hire Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green, who reportedly works smoothly with the Board of Education. Routh wants to strengthen instruction in primary grades and challenge students more in upper grades. She is unable to list programs to be eliminated for budgetary reasons.
On the record: “Teacher effectiveness is more than the student scores on EOG and EOC tests. North Carolina has had an evaluation procedure in place for teachers and other licensed personnel for decades. The evaluation process does focus on the teacher’s performance, but the validity of the process does depend on the use of observation, communication, training, and professional development opportunities throughout the academic year.” (From News & Record)
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Board of Education District 2: Ed Price
Overview: Challenger Ed Price beat incumbent Garth Hebert. Price ran on increasing cooperation between various government entities and the Board of Education. He also supports arts education and increasing assistance to low-income schools.
On the record: “I’d like to see the community get involved in our schools. Find a way for people to come in to spend an hour a morning with children. I’ve been doing that for years.” (From News & Record)
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Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor: Lewis Brandon
Overview: Incumbent Lewis Brandon beat challengers Ray Briggs, Andy Courts, Dick Phillips, and Ron Tuck. Brandon is a local historian and a retired educator who has served on the Guilford Country Soil and Water Board since 1987. He is also a founding member of Piedmont Land Conservancy, which works to protect land.
On the record: On the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro: “I wasn’t someone who was necessarily out front. I worked to draw people to the movement — whatever was necessary to make the thing successful.” (From News & Record)